Mini Lobster

[teddscau]

Can you give me info about mini lobsters? All I can find is people saying they are unhealthy for you to eat because they eat sewage and how they're delicious in lobster rolls. Perhaps you guys can give me sites about them. (not recipe sites)

[annageckos]

Do you mean crayfish? Also called crawfish or crawdads. I would not mix them with fish. They are predator/scavengers and can kill fish. Other than that they are really interesting animals in a species only tank. A ten gallon works well.

[teddscau]

Not crayfish, I'm talking about these guys. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[annageckos]

That is a crayfish. It may be a dwarf crayfish but I am not sure. There are many different species of crays.

[Northernguy]

I think its one of these!
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[UncleWillie]

Like posted by annageckos and Northernguy, that looks most like a Cambarellus sp. Yes, a crayfish. And no, they are not harmful to eat (if taken from an appropriate area (as are most animals)).

They do not eat sewage (or poop, if you prefer). They are scavengers as already mentioned. Though Cambarellus sp usually do not eat plants, and never reach a worth-while eating size.

The most common food crays are Procambarus clarki and Procambarus acutus acutus. These reach large size in a decent amount of time (and yes, are delicious). They are also a problem when introduced to non native waters and compete with native species. Most crays eat detritus, algae, plant material and other inverts (including smaller crays) and sometimes fish.

Though they can be carnivorous in the wild, they typically don't target fish, but in cramped aquaria, its fairly common.

If you want to see some incredible photos from crays around the world, go to crayfishworld.com

I love keeping them in aquaria, so if you have any other questions, just ask.

[Amazon]

lol we eat 50 pound sacks of em. There are so many here in the swamp. I agree with uncle willie on everything. A safer option would be some shrimp.

[Sounguru]

That is a CPO (Cambarellus patzcuarensis "Orange") or commonly called a Dwarf Orange Crayfish. 1.5" is the largest one I have seen so would not be good eating since they are so small.

They are plant safe and fish safe, but you must remember any fish that can fit that cray in his mouth will. I have several running around in my planted tanks.